Vali Vadham 10

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The story of Vali

 

 

Since Kamban deviated from the basic idea in Valmiki and presents his case in a

different manner, showing Sugriva not only as an ally of Rama but one who has

been granted protection against his enemies, almost as it was the case with

Vibishana, he is necessitated to make some finer adjustments in the events that

follow. This deviation is built in to show that Rama was playing the role of a

protector rather than that of an ally, in killing Vali. That is why he showed

him acting a little funny when Rama approached him for help and sought his

protection instead, without in the least realising what he was doing.

 

Kamban has a preset drama before him that has to be moved towards its end that

was predefined. When he makes a deviation in order to build a defence, he has

to see that he presents his case convincingly too. Since he showed his Sugriva

in a slightly more than innocent frame of mind initially, his Sugriva has a very

limited scope of asking anything openly from Rama. Valmiki's Sugriva makes an

open appeal to Rama to kill Vali. "By your goodwill, O lion among men, I hope

to recover my darling as well as my sovereignty. (Pray) handle my hostile elder

brother in such a way, O heroic prince, that he may not persecute me any more."

(Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kanda, Canto V, Sloka 30)

 

Now, it would not be a convincing argument if Kamban's Sugriva asks for the

killing of Vali openly, for obvious reasons. He in fact does not say a word

after his initial supplication and conclusion of friendship. Now that Sri Rama

raised the question about the absence of Ruma, the wife of Sugriva, Hanuman

takes over to explain. He narrates the story of Vali and how Sugriva was

unfortunate to be chased by his own brother, with an intention of killing him.

 

Vali, who was the son of Indra, was a devotee of Lord Shiva and was endowed with

extraordinary strength. He assisted the Devas to churn the ocean of milk in

their effort to obtain elixir - amrita. That is, even they depended on his

strength in bring their effort to fruition. He was so valiant that he tied the

mighty Ravana with his tail. Ravana was desirous of a single combat with Vali

in order to establish his supremacy. Unfortunately he did not know that he was

no match for Vali. He sneaked behind Vali when he sitting in an island, with

closed eyes in preparation for meditation. Vali sensed this and tied Ravana in

his tail, jumped over hills and scaled all the peaks, dipped in the oceans seven

with Ravana hanging precariously from his tail. He reached home and tied Ravana

over the cradle of Angada, as if he were a toy alive. Angada, the child in the

cradle was so amused at the 'ten headed insect.' Angada uses this as a point of

particular mention when he meets Ravana later, as the emissary of Rama before

the commencement of war.

 

Vali had other special boons as well. One such was that Vali would receive half

the strength of his enemy, just as he encounters them. But this is a myth,

which will be taken up later, as we proceed. Sugriva was born to the Sun god

and was contented to serve his elder brother for a very long time, until

Maayaavi challenged Vali for a single combat.